Magnetic hair clip collector for dancers

ABSTRACT

A method for collecting and storing metallic hair clips. The metallic hair clips are located within a container that consists of a dancer&#39;s bag, luggage, a backpack, or a briefcase. At least one magnet is positioned inside a decorative object. The decorative object is placed within the container and then retained within the container while carrying the container. During the carrying, the decorative object moves (or shifts) within the container as a result of the carrying, thereby causing metallic clips dispersed within the container to collect on an outside surface of the decorative object. After carrying the container, the decorative object may be removed from the container (with the metallic clips retained on its outside surface.) The decorative object may be comprised of a child&#39;s stuffed toy, a cloth object shaped like a ballet slipper or a stuffed animal dressed like a ballerina.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a method for collecting and storing metallic hair clips within a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Ballerinas are required to wear their hair in a bun for dance class and recital. To maintain the hair in a bun during class or recital, the dancers must use metallic hair clips. Before and after the class or recital, the dancers will toss the metallic hair clips into bags filled with shoes, sweaters, leotards, towels, etc. This permits the metallic hair clips to disperse in a disorganized way throughout the bag when the dancer carries the bag to and from a dance class or recital. This invention provides a useful item for dancers who wish to collect and store the metallic hair clips in a convenient and more organized fashion within the bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is directed to a method for collecting and storing metallic hair clips located within a container that consists of a dancer's bag, luggage, a backpack, or a briefcase. At least one magnet is positioned inside a decorative object. The decorative object is placed within the container and then retained within the container while carrying the container. During the carrying, the decorative object moves (or shifts) within the container as a result of the carrying, thereby causing metallic clips dispersed within the container to collect on an outside surface of the decorative object. After carrying the container, the decorative object may be removed from the container (with the metallic clips retained on its outside surface.) The decorative object may be comprised of a child's stuffed toy, a cloth object shaped like a ballet slipper or a stuffed animal dressed like a ballerina.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The accompanying drawings which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0005] In the drawings:

[0006]FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the container, pins and decorative object in accordance with the present invention.

[0007] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a front and side view of the decorative object and magnet in accordance with the present invention.

[0008]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate front and side view of a further decorative object with magnets in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 4 illustrates a further decorative object with magnets in accordance with the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using the present invention.

[0011] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a front and side view of a decorative object and magnets with metallic hair clips attached in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates the components used to carry out the method of the present invention. The components include a container 10, metallic hair clips 15, a decorative object 20, magnets 25 within the decorative object 20 and metallic hair clips 35 attracted by magnets 25 and attached to the decorative object 20. The container may consist of a dancer's bag, luggage, a handbag, a backpack or a briefcase.

[0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the decorative object 20 has an outside surface 23 and an inside compartment 24. The outside surface 23 of the decorative object may be comprised of any soft fabric such as felt, velvet, sherpa or plush material. The inside 24 of the decorative object 20 may contain stuffing such as beans, plastic balls, cotton or polyester batting, cotton/polyester batting, wool stuffing or chipped foam stuffing. The magnets 25 are located inside 24 the decorative object 20 at various locations. The decorative object 20 may be comprised of a stuffed animal dressed as a ballerina, FIGS. 2A and 2B, a child's stuffed toy, FIGS. 3A-3B or a cloth object shaped like a ballet slipper, FIG. 4.

[0014] With reference to FIG. 5, a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown. In step 500, at least one magnet 25 is provided wherein the magnet 25 is positioned within the inside 24 of a decorative object 20. In step 510, the decorative object 20 is placed within a container 10. In step 520 the decorative object 20 is retained within the container 10 while the user carries the container 10. During the carrying, the decorative object 20 moves within the container 10 as a result of the carrying, thereby causing the metallic clips 15 to be attracted by magnets 25 and to collect on the outside surface 23 of the decorative object 20. After carrying the container, the decorative object 20 is removed, in step 530, from the container 10 where the decorative object 20 retains the metallic clips 15 on its outside surface 23.

[0015] As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the user carries the container 10, the metallic hair clips 35 collect on an outside surface 23 of the decorative object 20 where the magnets are located. This prevents the metallic hair clips 35 from scattering throughout the container 10 during transportation. The decorative object 20 with the magnets 25 within, permits the user to collect and store the metallic hair clips 35 on the outside surface 23 of the decorative object 20 while stored in the container 10.

[0016] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A method for collecting and storing metallic hair clips located within a container consisting of a dancer's bag, luggage, a backpack, or a briefcase comprising the steps of: providing at least one magnet positioned inside a decorative object; placing the decorative object within the container; retaining the decorative object within the container while carrying the container, wherein the decorative object moves within the container as a result of the carrying, thereby causing the metallic clips to collect on an outside surface of the decorative object during the carrying; and removing the decorative object with the metallic clips on the outside surface thereof from the container.
 2. The method of step 1, wherein the decorative object is a child's stuffed toy.
 3. The method of step 1, wherein the decorative object is a cloth object shaped like a ballet slipper.
 4. The method of step 1, wherein the decorative object is a stuffed animal dressed like a ballerina. 